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During a special meeting on Tuesday, the Greeley-Evans School District Board of Education accepted the resignation of its top leader, Superintendent Ranelle Lang, with little comment but a large expense.

The vote was not unanimous, however, as members Julia Richard and Doug Lidiak voted against the separation agreement that will cost District 6 taxpayers $265,119.62 in severance pay. The two also had harsh words for fellow board members.

“We all know this is not a resignation,” Richard said. “I believe that accepting the resignation of the superintendent is short-sighted, unwarranted and fiscally irresponsible. Bottom line, it is just not in the best interest of our students.”

Lidiak, who said Lang’s departure was inevitable and that he believes change is healthy, called the year-early exit surrealistic, unfathomable and unraveling to the district.

“Looking at the nine-year track record of this district under the leadership of Dr. Lang, and given this district’s unique needs, I am at a loss to understand why we are choosing to cut short this proven capable leader’s time here with the district,” Lidiak said. “It is usually a two- to three-year process if there is not a smooth transitional plan. ... I hope for the sake of our students that this impact is minimal.”

Rhonda Solis was the only other board member to talk during the meeting. She called the move a positive step.

“I do feel we are at a point that she has done an amazing job putting in place policies and procedures that someone can come in and take over and handle,” Solis said. “I don’t consider this a negative thing but a positive one going forward in a different direction. There is a yearning for us to come together as a community and to take responsibility for our district.”

Lang commented through a written statement to The Tribune after the meeting.

“For nine years, I have been proud to serve the students of Greeley-Evans School District 6 …” she said. “I came in at a time when this district was in crisis and academic achievement was at a low point. To turn around a large organization like this was a daunting task, but I was excited to accept the challenge.”

Lang’s severance includes her base pay for the remainder of her contract and benefits she would have received had she finished. The severance will not be applied to her retirement.

Lang was hired during the 2005-06 school year as the assistant superintendent for student achievement under Renae Dreier. It was the same year the district was placed on academic watch. Lang was made superintendent in 2008-09.

“We have seen continuous, positive trends in student outcomes,” Richard said. “…Even with minimal student funding and high student need, the evidence of positive student outcomes and increased student opportunities show that accepting this resignation is not justifiable.”

Board President Roger DeWitt said the board began discussing Lang’s contract in May when she “jump started it.”

“Dr. Lang approached leadership and offered to what amounts now to four options,” DeWitt said. “Extend her contract for one year, unilaterally terminate the contract, leave things as they are through the end of next year or give her a letter of support from the board.”

DeWitt said what it boiled down to for him was he wanted someone in place over the next year that would more align with what he was looking for in a permanent superintendent to help in that search.

DeWitt said the board will identify someone for staff to report to beginning July 1 and until an interim superintendent is appointed.

He said the board will begin immediately identifying people that it will choose from to manage the district for the next year while it undergoes a search for a permanent leader.

“We are aware of the cost to the district, so we will try to be mindful of ways to neutralize that,” DeWitt said.